According to New Tech Network literature, the program was founded in 1996 at New Technology High School at Napa, Calif. About 120 New Tech programs are offered globally, including programs at 10 Arkansas school districts. Van Buren’s is the only area school to do so.

“The thing I like about New Tech is the student engagement. The kids are really engaged with it, and they work on real-world problems. … I think it prepares them for the flexibility they’ll need to compete in the job market over the next 50 years,” Dickerson said.

The self-driven and teamwork environment well fits some students, and some are students who never thrived in a traditional classroom setting, he noted.

High School Principal Eddie Tipton has said the culture of the program promotes trust, respect and responsibility.

Assistant High School Principal Tim McCutchen has said it teaches a professional work ethic, oral communication, collaboration and critical thinking skills.

Dickerson has said that the cost of implementing the program over five years will probably run about $500,000.

The Arkansas Department of Education awarded the district $150,000 for the 2012-13 school year and $75,000 for the 2013-14 school year to help defray the cost of implementing the program.

The appropriations approved the school board approved Tuesday will add 105 computers, additional cabling to expand the technology network at the high school and other infrastructure needs.

The furniture purchase will add more classroom tables and chairs to accommodate the student team learning approach and to replace the traditional classroom desks, Dickerson said.

“If any of you have been to New Tech, you know it doesn’t look like a regular classroom. It looks more like a workplace or a factory, with the kids moving around and working with one another,” the superintendent said.

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